Century proved people wrong - Bairstow

23rd November 2018, 17:50 by James Mason

Jonny Bairstow feels he proved a point after making a brilliant century on day one of the third Test against Sri Lanka.

Bairstow was ruled out of the first Test after suffering an injury playing football and despite recovering to full fitness in time for the second Test, he was left out due to the impressive performance of wicket-keeper Ben Foakes.

The Yorkshireman was named in England's team for the third Test, which started on Thursday, but he was brought in as a specialist batsman at number three, with the gloves remaining with Foakes.

It was a crucial time for Bairstow to produce the goods, with questions being asked about his place in the team, and the 29-year-old replied in perfect fashion as he scored 110 from 186 balls for his maiden Test ton in Asia.

Speaking about his display on day one which England ended on 312-7, Bairstow told Sky Sports: "There are different things you go through when you get castigated about being injured and doing X, Y and Z.

"People don't actually see what's gone on behind the scenes - the hard work, when you're doing your rehab, when you're sleeping on an ice machine - and yet they have an opinion on it.

"It's all well and good when it's going good and people have an opinion on how well you're playing, but it's the hidden things they don't see. They have an opinion when they're sat at home and don't see the graft that goes on in the heat and humidity.

"I'm proud as punch of myself and everything that I've done over the last few weeks because that injury should probably have kept me out for six-to-eight weeks. I'm back in four weeks and playing in a Test match."

This article originated on sportinastorm.com

James Mason grew up in Northumberland so is entrenched in both the football and golf scenes. A low handicap golfer, he also follows Newcastle United and predicts big things under Rafa Benitez.

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